Sex Trafficking

Identifying and Responding to Sex Trafficking Victims in Healthcare Environments

“…20 21 In some cases, traffickers may test the "loyalty" of their victims to ensure that they are not trying to seek help. 22 For example, a trafficker may send a colleague posing as a police officer to visit the victim to see if he/she reveals any information. Sex trafficking victims may also be reluctant to reveal their exploitation due to a sense of shame, or because they or their families have been threatened with harm.…”

“…Prostitution and sex trafficking are not the same. 25 makes a choice to provide a service (albeit an illegal service) and keeps all or a significant portion of the proceeds. A sex trafficking victim, on the other hand, is someone who is enslaved and forced to perform a commercial sex act without economic benefit.…”

“…Because prostitution in mostly illegal 27 in the United States and police actively enforce the laws, "there is no legal veneer under which sex-slave exploitation can take place." 28 In countries where prostitution is legal, brothels may have both prostitutes and sex slaves.…”

“…Sex trafficking in Europe and Asia represents up to 45 percent of all human trafficking, while in the United States, the rate is significantly lower at 15 to 20 percent of all human trafficking. 34 In the United States, child sex trafficking appears to account for a substantial proportion of all trafficking cases encountered by law enforcement. 35 The National Crime Information Center reported that 398,250 minors were missing in the U.S. in 2019.…”

“…Pimps typically split up to half the payment for sex with hotel prostitutes." 39 Finally, the victim disposal scene may be where the victim was initially picked up, a location near the last place of exploitation, or the victim may be murdered.…”